The LEGO Thread

Jason P

This thread is for all things LEGO.  New sets, build techniques, where to save money!, etc.  Just got back into them after after getting some cheap sets (the dealer giving me a taste of the goods) for the kids.  Right now, I am setting up a foundation to stick this sets on as the 32x32 baseplates are pretty flimsy … using a MILS (modular) setup per the following video …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6qY7cjbfQ8

Not cheap, but like everything in life, a good foundation is essential.  Anybody have tips?  I figure each 32x32 MILS will cost about $25 when buying bricks from LEGO pick-a-brick.  I’m still trying to figure out the Bricklink market …

tempo_n_groove

Buy my Slave 1 lol!

Where Tom at? @on2legs

on2legs

I’m more of a Lego investor these days and less of a collector.  I’m probably sitting on around 30 retired sets.  I did sell some of my Scooby Doo lego recently that I’ve been holding since they were released.  Prices are crazy now. 

erebus

It's like any collectible market now, good and bad.

Retired sets, flippers,  limited editions...

Apparently Mattel is getting into the market,  so we will see if that drives prices down.  Other knock off brands out there too.

I'm mainly into the Speed Champions line and anything F1 related, but lots of neat stuff out there.
Thankfully not into Star Wars or LOTR, expensive sets up to a grand.

Definitely not just for kids anymore 

rw160510

We have way too much Lego in our house. Some of my favourites and my most recent purchase.

Jason P

erebus said:

Thankfully not into Star Wars or LOTR, expensive sets up to a grand.

Definitely not just for kids anymore 

My wheelhouse along with most guys in 40's ...  Hopefully LEGO doesn't launch a Tarantino series and hopefully I didn't give them any ideas!

Jason P

My niece wants the T-Rex fossil ... I let my brother know!  Let us know how the build goes.

A LOTR Shire Bag End set is coming out next week.  It is pretty cool but overpriced at almost $300.  Somehow it makes the $500 Rivendell set seem more reasonably priced.

Does anyone add light kits?  Seems like an extravagance, but I splurge on Rivendell, I think it would look pretty cool.   but I imagine they are frustrating to install and add a cost to a cost.

ST66483

We’ve really been into a lot of the modular buildings, Ideas sets, architecture skylines, the odd one-off here and there, or certain larger sets like Simpsons or Ninjago City. 

My wife added lights to the Home Alone house. It was a giant pain in the behind and really didn’t look that nice, so haven’t done it since.

We also have a number of the BrickLink Designer Program sets which can be very creative. 

What started in our house as a connection point with the kids, has gotten to the point where the kids grew out of it and only the adults have interest now,

Jason P

How does Bricklink designer set work?  It appears you vote on designs but it could be months before they are picked to go on sale ... then you need to FOMO a date to buy as I've heard they sell out fast?  Or do you download plans and buy the pieces? 

Good to know to pass on lighting.

ST66483

I’m no expert, but for the BrickLink designer sets, they’re initially voted on and then 5 - 8 (or something like that) are selected to move onto a pre-sale. During the presale they have a certain amount per sale, I think the first time it was 5,000 of each set, but now it’s quite a bit higher - maybe even 10,000+. However during that presale the sets need to hit a certain threshold of sales, otherwise they don’t get made. Some may sell out the first day of the presale and others maybe on sale for a few weeks, but some never get funded. I think the cut off for pre sales maybe about 30 days - at that point you know what will be manufactured and what will not. Then for those that hit the sales threshold they get manufactured and get shipped maybe 6 - 8 months later. 

The manufactured sets are very much like a standard LEGO set (box / packaging), save and except for the fact there’s no paper instructions, you just use the app for that. I really thought I’d miss the instructions and not like the app, but it’s quite the opposite - still a very enjoyable build.

I think the series 7 finalists were just announced, but in terms of what’s been manufactured we just had the series 3 sets shipped this past February.

The only thing I don’t love is the limited nature, but for me if I’m online the day of the presale, I’ve not missed out. I’ve heard many others complain of missing out.

on2legs

Jason P said:

My niece wants the T-Rex fossil ... I let my brother know!  Let us know how the build goes.

A LOTR Shire Bag End set is coming out next week.  It is pretty cool but overpriced at almost $300.  Somehow it makes the $500 Rivendell set seem more reasonably priced.

Does anyone add light kits?  Seems like an extravagance, but I splurge on Rivendell, I think it would look pretty cool.   but I imagine they are frustrating to install and add a cost to a cost.

My older son bought the Rivendell set at the Lego store in Disney World a couple years ago.  We barely fit it in the car for the ride home.  Totally worth it though… it’s a beautiful set. 

Jason P

I think I may get the Shire set if I can get the exclusive Smeagol fishing set that Lego is using to lure us in with.   It makes the overall cost of the set slightly overpriced instead of outrageously overpriced. 

Below is a link for Series 5 of Bricklink Designer series which go live for crowdfunding in June ... 

https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-5/main.page

rw160510

If you do want the LOTR gift don’t sleep on it, will sell out very quickly. The last LOTR GWP sold out almost instantly and goes for at least £110 a pop now. If you join Lego Insiders you will get early access as it launches early to members (midnight 1st/2nd April) There’s no charge for joining up, any points you earn will get you money off subsequent sets.

Jason P

rw160510 said:

If you do want the LOTR gift don’t sleep on it, will sell out very quickly. The last LOTR GWP sold out almost instantly and goes for at least £110 a pop now. If you join Lego Insiders you will get early access as it launches early to members (midnight 1st/2nd April) There’s no charge for joining up, any points you earn will get you money off subsequent sets.

Is there a time zone standard for launch or is it local time?

rw160510

Should be midnight local time. Not sure what that means in practice for the USA to be honest. I would assume East Coast?

erebus

Just make sure the free gift with purchase is in the cart.

I had ordered something right at midnight   maybe a minute or two after and it didn't show up in the cart. 

I emailed Lego and they sent it to me.
They said to wait until it appears in the future 

Jason P

I tried at midnight but the site was crashing and I didn’t feel like I wanted to replicate the PJ ticket buying experience so I went to bed … it is available this morning.  Also includes an easter bunny GWP along with Smeagol set that I can use for
parts.   

rw160510

Happy days, pleased you managed to get one!

Jason P

Tempo should hold on to that investment ...

ST66483

Finished building the Tudor Corner modular today, with the GWP newsstand. I think this may be my favourite modular yet both in terms of looks and the enjoyableness of the build. If modular buildings are your thing I highly recommend it.

Jason P

The house from the movie "Up" is on sale for a decent price ($40).  

Looks good with Animal Crossing village I'm building for kids.  I picked up some 3-1 Creator sets on deep sale to try to get the kids to think "outside the manual"